Center for World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI Program Center）
Kojimachi Business Building 10F, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, JAPANTEL+81-3-3263-0967MAILjspstoplevel@jsps.go.jp

What key biological traits make us ‘human’, and how can knowing these lead us to better cures for disease?ASHBi investigates the core concepts of human biology with a particular focus on genome regulation and disease modeling, creating a foundation of knowledge for developing innovative and unique human-centric therapies.

The Center Projects Selected in FY2017

Tackling the ultimate question – "How does human intelligence arise?" The IRCN aims to (1) elucidate fundamental principles of neural circuit maturation, (2) understand the emergence of psychiatric disorders underlying impaired human intelligence (HI), and (3) drive the development of next-generation AI based on these principles and function of multimodal neuronal connections in the brain.

Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of life phenomena by exploring “uncharted nano-realms”Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing
nanoprobe technologies that allow direct imaging, analysis, and
manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules in
living organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and
interior of cells. We aim at acquiring a fundamental understanding of
the various life phenomena at the nanoscale.

The Center Projects Selected in FY2012

World-class institute for sleep medicine, aiming to solve the mechanism of sleep/wakefulness by conducting basic to clinical researchThe mission of IIIS is to be a multidisciplinary, international hub for the research to elucidate the fundamental mechanism of sleep/wakefulness, to develop strategies to regulate sleep, and to contribute to enhancement of world health through the combat with sleep disorders and associated diseases.

Globally-Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Hub for Exploring the Origins of Earth and LifeELSI focuses the origins of Earth and life. Both studies are inseparable because life should have originated in unique environment on the early Earth. To accomplish our challenge, we establish a world-leading interdisciplinary research hub by gathering excellent researchers in Earth and planetary sciences, life science, and related fields.

Changing the world with molecules: Synthetic Chemistry and Plant/Animal BiologyThe goal of ITbM is to develop innovative functional molecules that make a marked change in the form and nature of biological science and technology (transformative bio-molecules). By merging synthetic chemistry, catalysis chemistry, systems biology, and plant/animal science, which are the strengths of Nagoya University, we aim to create cutting-edge science with potentially significant societal impact.

The Center Projects Selected in FY2010

The Grand Highway for a Carbon-Neutral Energy Fueled WorldThe mission of the Institute is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly society by advancing fundamental science to reduce CO2 emissions and establish a non-fossil based energy carrier system.

The Center Projects Selected in FY2007

Establish a World-Leading Research Organization in Materials ScienceAIMR aims to establish a Premier Research Center for materials science, to reform the conventional Japanese system and to construct a visible center. To this end, the institute is assembling excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, bioengineering and electronic/mechanical engineering.

Cross-Disciplinary Research Center for Addressing the Origin and Evolution of the UniverseEstablishing a top-level research center visible worldwide for the most urgent issues of basic science such as dark energy, dark matter, and unified theories with a close collaboration of mathematics, physics and astronomy.

Creating a new field of integrated cell-material science in the mesoscopic domainOur institute seeks to illuminate a chemical basis of cells, creating compounds to control processes in cells such as stem cells (materials for cell control) in addition to sparking cellular processes to create chemical materials (cell-inspired materials), to ultimately establish an integrated cell-material science.

Materials Nanoarchitectonics - New paradigm of materials development -MANA aims to create a new paradigm for materials development called “Materials Nanoarchitectonics” and in the field of the managing system focuses on “Melting pot environment,” “Fostering young scientists” and “Global Network.”